Golden Gate Racing Takes Home Seventh Top Ten in Colorado
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (8-10-10) – Despite falling victim to a collision and a failing
tire late in the race, the Golden Gate Racing Team still went home on a Rocky Mountain
high Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway as Blake Koch and the San Francisco
based team brought the Daystar Television Network #21 Chevrolet that carries the support
of Richard Childress Racing to it's seventh top ten finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro
Series West.
"Some times your good and sometimes you're lucky, this race saw a
little bit of both," said Jim Offenbach, owner of the San Francisco based Golden Gate
Racing Team. "The guys that work on this car simply amaze me at times. They know how
to overcome a challenge and communicate so well with one another. They are the best."
Saturday's event was the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts Bonus Challenge 150. The
event marked the second time that Koch had competed on the .375 mile track that has become
one of his personal favorites on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Tour. After leading 17 laps
there in 2009, the team returned to the rumble in the Rockies with high expectations and
nearly met them until lady luck interfered in a not so friendly way.
After turning the fourth fastest lap in final practice, Koch drove the
DayStar Television Network #21 to the tenth fastest lap in the field during Coors Light
qualifying with a top speed of 80:357 miles per hour. The time was slightly slower then
the team had aimed for and placed them midway in the field but Koch proved in 2009 that
Colorado National speedway was home to two racing lines and getting to the front was a
reachable goal.
"Being the second car on the track for qualifying didn’t help us
out much," said Koch. "But we had a good run on the outside and passed a couple
of cars on the first lap to get a good start."
After working his way into the top five early in the race, Koch began
patiently closing in on the fourth place position. Late in the race Austin Self held on to
the fourth position and when Koch closed in to pass for the position the two collided to
draw a caution flag for a multi car incident on lap 136. Koch skated through the incident
without serious damage but was suffering a loss of air pressure in his right front tire
that set him back for the final laps of the race.
"When I went to pass for the position he got into me a little bit and
it just sent me around," said Koch." At that point the right front tire started
going down and I was just trying to get as many spot back as possible."
Following Saturday's event, The Golden Gate- RCR Team is ranked seventh in
the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West campaign. The next event on the NASCAR K&N Pro
Series West Schedule is Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele on September 12th.
The Golden Gate Racing – RCR Racing Team #21 is sponsored for the
2010 season by the Daystar Television Network. Koch and this veteran team that is owned by
Offenbach with the support of Richard Childress Racing is unique, as it is one of few
motor sports venues that has partnered with several successful faith-based organizations.
They strive to carry a positive message to the NASCAR community at every event where they
compete and along the highways in which their impressive hauler is visible —
traveling from race to race in pursuit of the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
Championship.
Associate sponsors on the DayStar Television Network Chevrolet include
Tire Kingdom and I Am Second. Additional associate sponsors currently include the Golden
Gate Meat Company, Superior Lamb Company, Bay Bio-Diesel/Golden Gate Petroleum, Hill Meat
Company, Foodcomm International, Signco and Harraka Racing Equipment Sales.
GGRT advances to sixth in West Standings; Colorado up next
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (8-10-10) – The Golden Gate Racing Team scored its sixth top ten
finish of the season Saturday in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The event marked the
inaugural appearance of the series at Montana Motorsports Park in Kalispell for the Toyota
Napa Auto Parts Challenge.
The .25 mile Montana Motorsports Park was new to every competitor in the
field Saturday and in the end, Florida's Blake Koch drove the DayStar Television Network
#21 to a seventh place finish. The San Francisco based Richard Childress Racing supported
Golden Gate Racing Team will look to carry their momentum into Colorado this coming
weekend as the 2010 series enters its final stretch.
"We had an off weekend, the guys worked so hard to get the car better
for me, but we just couldn't get it were it needed to be," said Koch. "The track
itself was really cool and a there are a lot of great, loyal fans in Montana. It was a
decent points day for us, moving up a spot and now we're only 41 points from the top
three."
In Saturday's event, the Golden Gate Racing Team was quick to unload at
Montana Motorsports Park to insure ample time to practice and make the needed adjustments
to the DayStar #21 Chevrolet. Competing on a new track to the series can often prove
challenging to any team and every available lap was crucial.
In qualifying, Koch turned the 12th fastest lap of the day with a top
speed of 63.916 seconds on the short track venue. The lap placed him in the middle of the
field for the 150 lap affair that would require good patience and strategy to gain track
position. Koch wasted no time in working his way into the top ten in the field.
When the checkered flag flew, Koch had charged his way to seventh place.
The finish netted just enough accumulative points to advance Koch up to sixth in the
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Koch trails point leader Eric Holmes, David Mayhew,
Jonathan Gomez, Paulie Harraka and Moses Smith in the standings. He is a mere 41 points
out of the top three ranks, illustrating what a great recovery the Golden Gate Racing Team
has made since a series of tough finishes at the start of the season.
"The team did great in my eyes," said Jim Offenbach, owner of
GGRT. "It's always a gamble when it comes to the perfect set up when you race at a
new facility and they got the car up to the fifth fastest time in practice, that's just
awesome. Steve Portenga and this entire crew are simply the best. I'm confident they will
do extremely well this weekend in Colorado."
This Saturday marks the return to Colorado National Speedway for the
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Koch and the team are well prepared for the Toyota/NAPA
Auto Parts Bonus Challenge 150 at the track where they fared so well at in 2009. Last year
as a virtual rookie, Koch qualified third at Colorado and muscled his way ahead of former
champion Eric Holmes to take the lead on the .375 mile track.
After leading the field for 17 laps, Koch suffered a flat tire that forced
him to relinquish the strong lead and his chances for his first career NASCAR victory. It
was during a caution flag that Koch learned of the deflating tire. Although he attempted
to maintain his position he quickly fell out of the lead once the race went green.
"Under the caution flag we had a right front tire going down,"
said Koch. "When we went green the car quit handling and it ended up rubbing on the
sway bar and blowing a right front tire. It was disappointment for us but it was also a
huge confidence boost for me knowing we had the ability to lead a race like we did."
Last weekend, Koch celebrated his birthday with a seventh place finish in
Montana. This Saturday will mark a special race as well as his Mother will be in
attendance, it will be the first time she has watched her son compete in a NASCAR West
event since his debut in late 2008.
"I am really looking forward to Colorado,"
said Koch. "We had a good run going their last year before we cut the tire. Steve
(Portenga) has some idea on how to make the car even better this year so I'm excited to
get out there. My Mom is coming out for this race which is exciting for me. She has a
tough time watching me on the track though so who will probably be in the hauler for the
race. Hopefully I can bring home another strong finish."
The Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts Bonus Challenge 150 begins on Saturday with
practice at 12 p.m. MT followed by Coors Light pole qualifying at 5:30. The feature race
is scheduled to begin at 8:15 MT and will air on SPEED TV on August 26 at 3 p.m. Pacific
Time. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West is aired weekly on SPEED TV. This week will
feature coverage of the recent event in Montana. Check your local listings for show times.
The Golden Gate Racing – RCR Racing Team #21 is sponsored for the
2010 season by the Daystar Television Network. Koch and this veteran team that is owned by
Offenbach with the support of Richard Childress Racing is unique, as it is one of few
motor sports venues that has partnered with several successful faith-based organizations.
They strive to carry a positive message to the NASCAR community at every event where they
compete and along the highways in which their impressive hauler is visible —
traveling from race to race in pursuit of the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
Championship.
Associate sponsors on the DayStar Television Network Chevrolet include
Tire Kingdom and I Am Second. Additional associate sponsors currently include the Golden
Gate Meat Company, Superior Lamb Company, Bay Bio-Diesel/Golden Gate Petroleum, Hill Meat
Company, Foodcomm International, Signco and Harraka Racing Equipment Sales.
Golden Gate Racing Team Ready for Inaugural Event in Montana
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
 SAN
FRANCISCO, CA (8-4-10) – Throughout the 2010 season, the Golden Gate Racing Team has
fared extremely well in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Despite s series of crashes in
the early events of the tour, driver Blake Koch of West Palm Beach Florida has used his
past year of experience at familiar tracks to work closely with this Richard Childress
Racing supported team to rally back into the hunt for the 2010 championship title behind
the wheel of the Daystar Television Network #21 Chevrolet. READ MORE ...
Gary Lowblad dedicates Ukiah Modified win to "Daddy Ray"
Photo by Jack Waterman
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
UKIAH, CA (8-1-10) – While the Golden Gate Racing Team is best known for it's
popularity in the high profile NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, the San Francisco based
driver development team that carries the support of the famed Richard Childress Racing
continues to field teams in various grassroots form of asphalt racing. One such driver is
Upper Lake's Gary Lowblad who recently celebrated a hard earned victory at Ukiah Speedway.
Competing in the Rental Solution Modifieds, Lowblad muscled the Golden
Gate Meat Company #88a Modified to the front of the feature event to post his first
victory of the season at Ukiah. The initial lead of the event was assumed by veteran Mikey
Snider as he took command of the field at the waving of the green flag. Lowblad quickly
worked his way into the hunt for the lead as early as the opening lap.
After overtaking second place runner Ken Bush, Lowblad pursued Snider for
the lead and overtook the top position with an outside pass on the backstretch on the
fifth lap. Once he was in front, Lowblad maintained the lead all the way to the checkered
flag to score the victory that he later dedicated to a very special person that influenced
his racing career, the late Ray Offenbach. Ray was best known as "Daddy Ray" in
the racing community and passed away a little over a month ago. Daddy Ray was the father
of Golden Gate Racing Team owner Jim Offenbach who continues to support Lowblad's team
today, a team in which "Daddy Ray"always held a special place in his heart for
all the way up to his recent passing.
"Daddy Ray was a very special person to me, he was the one that got
me in the seat of this car," said Lowblad. "Everyone really misses him, he was a
very special man and loved this sport and the Golden Gate Racing Team. This win is
dedicated to him for everything he did for me."
My Dad loved this sport but he especially loved this modified team and he
really like Gary," said Jim Offenbach. "It was because of my Dad I continue to
run that team. He would be very proud of Gary on this win and flattered with the
dedication, I too am really proud of him with his recent win. He's a great driver and
he'll have more coming his way."
Golden Gate Racing Team nets top ten at Portland International
Photo by Pat Brandon
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
 PORTLAND, OR (7-18-10) – The Golden Gate Racing Team scored their fifth
top ten finish of the season Sunday in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The venue was
the Bi-Mart Salute to the Troops 125 at Portland International Raceway and when the
checkered flag flew sophomore driver Blake Koch had garnered a strong sixth place in the
Daystar Television Network #21 that carries the support of Richard Childress Racing
Development. READ MORE ...
Koch to appear on SIRIUS XM's "The Front Stretch"
Saturday
 By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (7-16-10) – The Golden Gate Racing Team's Blake Koch is scheduled
to appear live on The Front Stretch Sirius XM Satellite Radio Show this Saturday morning
from Portland, Oregon, as he prepares for this weekend's Bi-Mart Salute to the Troops 125
at Portland International Speedway Sunday. READ MORE...
GGRT and Koch ready for strong road course run in Portland
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
 SAN FRANCISCO, CA (7-14-10)
– A year ago the Golden Gate Racing Team and Blake Koch didn't know what to expect
when they faced a Pacific Northwest road course event in their maiden season together. One
year later, the young driver from West Palm Beach Florida and this competitive Richard
Childress Racing Development NASCAR West team have one common thing in mind; putting the
Daystar Television Network #21 Chevrolet in victory lane in the Bi-Mart Salute to the
Troops 125 at Portland International Speedway Sunday. READ MORE...
Koch garners career best second place finish in King Taco 200
by Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (7-5-10) – As the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West progresses,
so does Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing Team. This past weekend the sophomore NASCAR
driver and this Richard Childress Racing Development team drove to all new heights at
Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. Koch drove the Daystar Television Network #21
Chevrolet to a career best second place finish in the King Taco 200. READ MORE ...
Blake Koch (right) discusses pit strategy with crew chief
Koch and Golden Gate Racing Locked and Loaded for Irwindale
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (6-28-10) – After being stricken from a possible top five finish
due to a collision in the closing laps at Sonoma, Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing
Team are ready to get back action on the oval this weekend in the NASCAR K&N Pro
Series West tour. The San Francisco based Richard Childress Development Team is bound to
Toyota Speedway in Irwindale this Saturday for the King Taco 200. - READ MORE ...
 Bowles and GGRT hold them and fold them in Sonoma Valley
Photo by Pat Brandon
Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA, CA- For the entire weekend it appeared the Golden Gate Racing Team held four aces
at Infineon Raceway for the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200. In the end, however, it was
lady luck who dealt a wild card against this Richard Childress Racing Development team and
a weekend of success ended with an empty fuel tank just 100 feet from the finish line.
READ MORE ...
 Late collision
nets DNF for strong running Koch at Infineon
by Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA, CA (6-19-10) – The event was shaping up to be a storybook ending for the
Golden Gate Racing Team at Infineon Raceway Saturday afternoon. With both of their drivers
leading laps, it appeared the San Francisco based NASCAR K&N Pro Series West team was
destined for a pair of top finishes. Lady luck had a different idea and in her wrath,
brought a sudden end to extremely strong run by Blake Koch in the Daystar Television
Network GGRT/RCR #21.
- READ MORE ....
Believe in magic; GGRT and Bowles take Infineon pole position
Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA, CA- Heading to the track closest to their home, the Golden Gate – Richard
Childress Racing Team had high hopes of a strong showing at Infineon Raceway. When
qualifying concluded Friday afternoon for Saturday's Thunder Valley Casino 200, the
emotions were high in the pit area of this Richard Childress Development team. Jason
Bowles of Ontario bested the field and earned the pole position aboard the Thunder Valley
Casino #31 fielded by Patti Offenbach and Richard Childress.
READ MORE ...
Koch to start mid field with 14th place qualifying run in Sonoma
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA, CA (6-18-10) – Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing Team look to continue
their rally in the point standings of the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Saturday
afternoon with a mid-pack start in the Thunder Valley Casino- Resort 200 at Infineon
Raceway in Sonoma, California. Koch will start in the 14th position Saturday as the series
enters it first road course race of the year.
READ MORE ...
Koch looks to put Golden Gate Racing Team up front at Infineon
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA, CA (6-13-10) – Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing Team are headed for the
California wine country this week as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will take to the
1.99 mile road course known as Infineon Raceway for the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200.
The event marks the fifth segment of the 12-race championship series in which this Richard
Childress Development team continues to rapidly advance in the point standings.
READ MORE ...
 Bowles Returns to Golden Gate Racing-RCR for Infineon Event
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA, CA- The San Francisco based Golden Gate Racing Team and Richard Childress Driver
Development have announced that defending series champion Jason Bowles of Ontario,
California will return to their stable this week in Sonoma, California. Bowles will be an
entry for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200 at Infineon
Raceway.
“I am really looking forward to this race, it’s always nice to go back to a
place you enjoy and have had success at,” said Bowles, who has won the last two
consecutive NASCAR West road course events at Infineon. “Winning the last two years
has been great but its going to be tough as ever to do it again.”
READ MORE ...
 Heavy
hearted Golden Gate Racing Team returns to Infineon
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA, CA (6-13-10)– This week the Golden Gate Racing Team returns with two stellar
entries on the track closest to their home base as Infineon Raceway hosts the NASCAR
K&N Pro Series West in the Thunder Valley Casino-Resort 200. While the home track
event is always special for this race team, this year is no exception as they return to
the Sonoma Valley with extremely heavy hearts on Father's Day weekend.
READ MORE ... |
Champion Jason Bowles signs with Golden Gate Racing/RCR Team
to drive Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma #31
Koch ready to drive GGRT
Daystar Television Network #21 to victory in Jimmie Johnson 100 at Phoenix International
SAN
FRANCISCO - Blake Koch and the Golden Gate - Richard Childress Racing Development Team
have started off the 2010 NASCAR, K&N Pro Series season in positive fashion as they
have officially made the line up for Saturday's Toyota Showdown in Irwindale, California. 
By
Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
Koch and Golden Gate Racing Team ready to put the Daystar Chevrolet
to the front for NASCAR Showdown and West Series
(Jan. 21, 2010) – The National
Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that K&N Engineering,
Inc., will be the title sponsor for NASCAR’s top developmental series, formerly known
as the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West, beginning in 2010. 